Winch and Plow Control System with Automatic Gear-Based Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current winch and plow control systems for vehicles require significant time and effort to manage the raising and lowering of plows during snow plowing operations, as users need to manually control vehicle gears and plow positions multiple times, leading to inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A winch and plow control system that includes a display module with input for vehicle parameters, allowing automatic plow control based on gear selection, with modes for manual operation, auto plow mode, and backdrag mode, and enabling remote wireless control of the winch, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of plow positioning is used, then the user can control the plow position, but the operation requires additional time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by automatically controlling the plow based on detected vehicle conditions (gear position, speed, steering angle) without requiring manual intervention from the user. The processor autonomously determines when to raise or lower the plow, eliminating the need for continuous manual control inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring vehicle parameters (gear selection, speed, steering angle) and using this information to automatically adjust plow positioning. The processor receives real-time data from sensors and adjusts the plow position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to changing operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If automatic plow control based on gear selection is implemented, then operator effort is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single processor to handle multiple control functions: automatic plow positioning, winch control, and coordination based on various vehicle parameters. This consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one integrated control unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the plow control system with the winch control system under a single processor and control architecture. By combining these functions and sharing sensors (gear position, speed, steering angle), the system reduces redundancy and simplifies the overall control structure while enabling coordinated operation of multiple attachments.
Data Source
AI summary
A winch and plow control system is disclosed. The winch and plow control system enables automatic control of a plow attached to a vehicle in order to raise and lower the plow based upon a vehicle parameter. The vehicle parameter can be a gear input that is monitored to automatically raise and lower the plow depending upon the gear selected. Wireless and remote control of the winch is also available, as well as a back-dragging automatic plow mode and a normal automatic plow mode.